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(No Model) J. M. MURDOOK. ADJUSTABLE CURTAIN HANGER.

No. 562,017. Patented June 16, 1896.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN M. MURDOOK, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO GEORGE IV. ARPER, OF SAME PLACE.

ADJUSTABLE CURTAIN-HANG ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 562,017, dated. June 16, 1896.

Application filed January 14, 1896. Serial No. 575,450. (No model.)

To CLZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN M. MURDOOK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oakland, in the county of Alameda and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Adjustable Curtainllangers; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in adjustable curtainhangers; and it has for its object to provide a simple and inexpensive construction whereby the ordinary spring-roller carrying the, curtain may be lowered from the top as well as the curtain proper being raised from the bottom; and it consists in the arrangement of parts and details of construction, as will be hereinafter fully set forth in the drawings and described and pointed out in the specification.

This invention is designed more especially for use in connection with the window-fixtures of a bank, store, office, or of such other places wherein it is desirable that light be admitted from the upper portion of the Window while the lower portion thereof is closed or curtained. Y

In order fully to understand my invention, reference must be had to the accompanying sheet of drawings, forming a part of the present application, wherein- Figure 1 is a perspective View of awindow provided with my improvements. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view, in side elevation, showing the slide-plate and the fulcrumed lever and a portion of the vertical rod upon which said plate slides; and Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the position of the fulcrumed lever when thrown in posit-ion to per mit the slide-plate to lower.

The letter Ais used to indicate an ordinary window casing or frame, within which work the upper and the lower sash of the window. To the window casing or frame, at each side of the window, are secured the vertical rods A A Upon these rods slide the plates B B, the outer end of each plate being bent over so as to form a clip a, through which the vertical rods A A extend. Between these plates is fitted the window-curtain B the ends of the spring curtain-roller B fitting in bearings 6L, formed in the slide-plates B B. The slide-plates thus support the windowcurtain and the spring curtain-roll.

To the lower end portion of each of the slide-plates B B is fulcru med by pin or stud Z) a bell-crank lever O, the arm O of which lever is perforated at its outer end, as shown at c, in order that the same may fit over the vertical rods A A or the said end of the arm 0 may be provided with a clip which embraces the said vertical rods. Around the pin or stud b is coiled the spring O one end b of which is connected to the upright arm 0 of the crank-lever 0, while the opposite end I) of which is secured to the slide-plate proper, Figs. 2 and 3. The pressure of this spring maintains the arm O of the fulcrumed lever O normally pressed outward, throwing the lower arm 0 at an angle to the vertical rods and causing the same to bind thereagainst, Fig. 2.

Within an opening or eyelet d, formed in the upper end of the arm 0" of the crank-lever fulcrumed to the slide-plate B, is secured one end of the cord D, which cord is then run through a ring d, fastened to the 'upper end of the slide-plate B, over pulley d secured at one corner of the window, and over the double pulley d secured to the opposite corner of the window frame or casing, and is united to the cord D, which cord at one end is secured within the eyelet or opening 6, formed in the upper end of the arm of the crank-lever fulcrumed to the slide-plate B, and is then run through a ring 6, fastened to the upper end of the slide-plate B, and up and over the double pulley d and from said pulley extends downward to the bottom of the window casing or frame.

When the parts arein the position disclosed in Fig. 1, the curtain will act in the usual manner-that is, it will raise and lower through the medium of the spring-actuated curtainroller. In order to lower the entire curtainfixture from the top, so as to obtain light from the upper portion of the window, it is only necessary to pull downward upon'the cord D, which will draw the upper end of the arm 0 of each crank-lever inward and will cause the arms 0 to move downward until a plane is reached horizontal to the vertical rods A A Fig. 3. Then they are in this position, the

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arms C do not bind against the rods A A Consequently the slide-plates B B will move downward to any desired position simply by the weight of the curtain. In order to lock the slide-plates at any desired point, it is only necessary to suddenly release the cord I), when the pressure of the spring 0 will act to force the upwardly-extending arms C of the crank-levers outward, throwing the arms 0 at an angle to the vertical rods, Fig. 2, and causing the same to bind firmly thereagainst.

By my device it will be observed that the slide-plates, while carrying the fulcrumed crank-levers, also serve as bearing-plates for the springcurtain-roll. Consequentlythefull weight of the curtain is brought to bear upon the lower arm of the crank-levers the moment the operating-cord is released. It will also be noticed that in my device both slide-plates are operated by one cord.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure protection in by Letters Patent, is-- 1. In an adjustable curtain-han ger,the combination with the Window casing or frame, of the vertical rods secured to the said frame at each side of the window, the slide-plates mounted on the vertical rods and serving as bearing-plates for the spring-roll of the window-curtain, the crank-levers fulerumed to the slide-plates and adapted to bind on the vertical rods when the full weight of the ourtain-fixtures is brought to bear upon the slideplates, and devices for operating the fulcrumed levers in order to permit the lowering of the curtain-fixture.

2. In an adjustable curtain-hangelythe combination with the window casing or frame, of the vertical rods secured to the said frame at each side of the window, the slide-plates mounted on the vertical rods and serving as bearing-plates for the spring-roll of the window-curtain, the crank-levers fulcrumod to the slide-p1ates,'a spring connecting one arm of the fulcrumed levers to the slide-plates, so as to automatically lock the fulerumed levers in order to hold the curtain at any desired point and mechanism for releasing the fill crumed levers in order to permit the lowering of the curtain-fixture.

3. In an adjustable curtain-hanger, the combination with the vertical rods, the slideplates mounted on the Vertical rods and serving as bearing-plates for the spring-roll of the window-curtain, and the levers fulcrumed to the slide-plates, of mechanism for automatically throwing the fulcrumed levers away from the vertical rods in order to lower the curtain-fixtures and against the vertical rods so as to lock the curtain-fixture at any given point.

4:. In an adjustable curtain-hanger,the combination of the vertical guide rods, slideplates mounted thereon and provided with bearings for the curtain-roller, bell-crank levers fulerumed on the slide-plates and having one arm extending upward and the other provided with an eye encircling the guiderod, springs secured to the slide-plates and bearing on the upper arm of the bell-crank levers to hold the same away from the guiderods, rings on the upper edges of the slideplates, and operating-cords secured to the bell-crank levers and extending therefrom through the said rings and thence upward.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses, this 2lth day of December, 1895.

JOHN M. MURDOCK. lVitnesses:

N. A. ACKER, LEE D. CRAIG. 

